ROAD DOGGIN’ WITH ERIN WASSON AND CREAM

ROAD DOGGIN’ WITH ERIN WASSON AND CREAM

BY Jane Helpern, April 8, 2016

Erin Wasson is often described as a “model”, “designer”, and “muse”. What does this really mean? Sure, she slays the runway in shredded denim, but she can also design said denim, and jewellery, and entire collections for brands like RVCA and PacSun—and she’s built her own lines of apparel and accessories from the ground up. She once described herself as “jack of all trades, master of none”, which is refreshingly down-home and humble for someone in an industry of big egos and blag. Another thing to note: Wasson is an animal activist and dog lover. Her long-time ride-or-die is a ruddy pit bull called Cream. Originally from Texas and now based in L.A., Wasson has been rescuing and raising animals since she was a kid. These days, she’s passionate about the Best Friends Animal Society, rides horses like a pro, and spends time with her four-legged pal. Wasson welcomed us into her Venice Beach bungalow for a hang session and some good conversation.
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You can read the complete interview in Four&Sons, Issue Four.
To buy a copy, click here

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ISSUE NINE — PRE-ORDER NOW

by Four&Sons

In our Spring issue, there’s much to be in high spirits about. We go behind the scenes of Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, a movie fuelled by dopamine, alpha dogs, and a vast crew of artisans and animators. We hang with a pack of trippy-looking poodles created by artist Susumu Kamijo. We find five mutts who changed history by injecting their human counterparts with a good dose of serotonin. There is plenty of oxytocin going around, too. We celebrate Sulek’s photography of rescued Spanish galgos, Jo Longshurst’s abstract twist on pet portraiture, and Ho Hai Tran’s love of stripes and spots. We travel to Berlin, Toronto, London, and upstate New York to meet creative types whose bonds with their four-legged mates are as heartfelt as they are intoxicating. We ask five foodies to fess up about dog snacks and guilty pleasures that feed body and soul, and we embrace illustrator Apolline Muet’s bear hugs between humans and animals.
All this, and more, inside the covers.

Best of breeds

DODGY DOGS

Everyone knows dogs love cards, as established in Coolidge’s famous series of paintings: “Dogs Playing Poker”. Thanks to Jean Jullien and Yolky Games, dogs now have their very own deck tailored to their traits. Dodgy Dogs is an illustrated card game of our favourite hounds getting up to mischief such as piddling on the floor and stealing sausages. Featuring an abundance of breeds in all shapes and sizes, the deck celebrates a dog’s best and worst habits in Jullien’s humorous and relatable style. A long-time friend of dodgy dogs, his previous works include pooch-related books, t-shirts and even a live-drawing event. Woof!

THE FURRY THINGS

Although felines are usually the focus of Kamwei Fong’s drawings, a few furry mutts and pedigree pooches have started to steal the show. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Fong creates highly textured illustrations using a simple black-ink pen. Multiple layers of mini strokes create critters with a tactile and irresistible fluffiness. Their softness and benevolence convey the crux of Fong’s ideals: “Be happy. Be childlike. Be ridiculous.” His commissions include poodles, Pomeranians and, most recently, a dapper Scottie dog strutting its stuff with undeniable zeal.

TEN HUT

The Legowisko Hut from Hello Pets seems more like a cosy tent. Its light-wood struts and felt strips muffle the sounds of the outside world and create a calm atmosphere— with a plush cushion for extra comfort. The open ends allow inhabitants to sprawl or curl up, keep an eye out or get some shut-eye. Hello Pets is based in Poland, where they create innovative dog beds and feed stands using natural materials in pared-back colours to complement your natural style.

WALK THE TALK

Illustrator, animator and director Greg Gunn has taken time out of his busy lifestyle to flop onto the couch and work on a series of illustrations entitled “Year of the Dog Walker”. Using Procreate on his trusty iPad, he makes portraits of fashionable folk and their cool companions in striking block colours. These eight characters are inspired by everyday streetwear and fashion photography, while their dogs—including, but not restricted to, an indignant Doberman, a pair of chipper chihuahuas, and a cute mutt—flaunt their own colour palette and style.

DOG&Co HITS THE WEST COAST

On the cusp between the neighbourhoods of Russian Hill and Polk Gulch in San Francisco resides Batch, a curated homewares store in a refurbished firehouse that changes its decoration each season. This summer it hosts Dog&Co, a brand with a bespoke range of dog-related goods. Browse coats and jumpers, harnesses and leashes, carrycases and beds, and even boots for delicate or sore paws. From Velvet Hippo to WagWear, sniff out a new find from their collection of reputable and beloved brands, as well as a few newcomers.
Photography by @rbradleyphoto

OLD MUTTS

Our devotion to our dogs never falters, especially when they are old and grey. At these times, our homes become an accumulation of precious years spent together, housing worn-out couches, pillows with dog-shaped grooves and blankets chewed to tatters. Grey hairs twang from eyebrows, beards grow rougher, and flecks of white dapple coats. Maria Spann’s humble shots of old dogs sprawled on sofas and curled in beds may not be “show-home” beautiful, but they are an honest reflection of the intimate spaces we share with our beloved pets.

HERE COMES THE HOWELLMAN

Street Dog, a wire-haired terrier, lives in Los Angeles with his human: prolific illustrator, cartoonist, and artist Jay Howell, whose quirky style has tickled our funny bones for nearly a decade. From 21 July 21 to 18 August, his latest collection of surreal drawings and silly (yet sometimes surprisingly sentimental) mixed-media works are on show at LA gallery Subliminal Projects. Alongside these is a limited-edition print release, plus a brand new zine. Howell has a self-confessed deep devotion to the dog, so expect to spot a few chubby and goofy hounds within the pieces boasting mischievous grins and lolling tongues.

LOVE FOR LURVIG

The world’s most popular blue box of affordable interiors, IKEA, has released a new collection tailored for dogs and cats. Under the name Lurvig, you will find bowls, beds, and blankets in tasteful shades of black, green, and white. Understated and adaptable, the IKEA design team worked alongside vets to create pieces for pets that slide seamlessly into a minimalist décor. Our favourite is the small sofa-shaped bed, where your four-legged friend can stretch out their paws after a long day, just like you.

BOW-WOW MEETS BOHO

Beachy chic pieces made from natural materials are now strolling the shorelines thanks to Sebastian Says. The latest collection, ‘A New Bohemian’, is made up of 100 percent cotton-macramé collars, leads in earthy hues and warm merino-wool sweaters.

Founded by Suz Strampic in Elwood, Australia, and inspired by the Aussie beaches, the Sebastian Says fringed-wool jumpers and vegetable-tanned leather collars are made for blustery beach days. The label’s tanning process uses vegetable dyes on Italian leather, leaving products naturally distressed (a smart contrast to the brass detailing). They also incorporate Pinatex—a vegan-friendly leather alternative made from fibres extracted from pineapple leaves—into collars and coats, which have the soft feel of real worn leather, and remain both environmentally friendly and sustainable. For a seamless finish to all outfits, get your dog’s name monogrammed on a collar of your choice. Looks like it’s time to drop the dog tag.